Slow Cookers

Best All-Around: 3-in-One Slow Cooker by Hamilton Beach

The Design

In addition to having three standard settings ("high," "low," "warm"), this model comes with two-, four-, and six-quart stoneware bowls.Testing Notes/ Like Goldilocks, you can choose among bowls so that the size is just right, whether you want a simple sauce or enough seafood chowder for a crowd. The bowls sit higher in the base than in standard models, so you'll need a few extra minutes of cooking time to help make up for any heat loss from the exposed sides. To save precious cabinet space, the bowls can be nested.

Best Deluxe: VersaWare Pro by Crock-Pot

The Design

Packed with great features, this slow cooker does it all. The programmable functions include a timer that automatically turns to "warm" when the time's up, a digital display, and a stovetop-safe, six-quart stoneware crock, which is specially designed to brown meat.Testing Notes/ When using a slow cooker, browning meat before placing it in the pot enhances the dish's flavor. Using the same pot to brown and then cook the meat saves time and preserves all the crispy, tasty bits.

Best Basic: 6 1/2-Quart Slow Cooker by Cuisinart

The Design

This has all the benefits of a programmable slow cooker without the complicated digital screens and buttons. The two dials are simple to use: Turn one to the appropriate heat level, turn the other to the cooking time(up to eight hours), and you're done. When the time's up, the heat automatically switches to the "warm" setting. Testing Notes/ The solid and reliable machine comes with a special cooking rack so that you can cook using ramekins and other small bakeware.